Zazz is built upon a concept used in sites such as US-based Woot.com – sell one product a day, all day, until it sells out, then do it again with another product. The products range from gadgets such as magnetic wrist bracelets to kitchen wares.
The site incorporates forums and a blog to enhance a sense of community, and it seems to be working. Revenue is around $4 million.
Rather than sell a specific type of product, Naomi Simson’s RedBalloon focuses on selling an experience. The site offers packages for interstate trips, massage services and even cooking classes in the form of vouchers.
The site also puts an emphasis on customer feedback, which Simson says is a vital part of surviving online.
Simson claims the site receives about 15,000 customers a month, and recorded revenue of $18 million for the 2007-08 year. She projects revenue of $23 million for 2008-09.
Similar to Zazz and Woot, this site sells one product a day until it sells out, but customers can also buy different products from other sections of the site.
Founded and operated by Gabby Leibovich, Catch of the Day is the 19th most popular shopping and classifieds website in the country, according to Hitwise. It also made the BRW Fast 100 revenue growth list, and claimed a revenue level of $40 million in the 2007-08 financial year.
The online version of the office supply superstore has helped transform its reputation from purely an office supplier to a more general department store. The site sells everything that’s available in the bricks-and-mortar stores, but often sells computers and software at discount prices online.
The site has beat Kmart and even electronics giant JB Hi-Fi to be the 33rd most popular shopping site in Australia.
The online branch of this electronics giant has gone through a rebranding exercise over the past year, helping to make it the 18th most popular Australian shopping website position on Hitwise lists.
Similar to Officeworks, the site focuses solely on electronics, but offers exclusive online prices and sales.
This homewares company, which is a Sydney institution thanks to its retail store in the Sydney suburb of Kensington, made the jump online in 2000 and found a ready market for its discounted brand-name kitchen products.
While it mostly offers kitchen products such as glass ware, dinner ware, cook ware and collectables, it has recently started to offer beauty and travel products. The site is the 55th most popular online shopping destination, and expects to grow by venturing into luggage and stationary products.
Oo.com.au was launched in September 2005 and offers a range of products in 35 different categories. General manager Gavin Basserabie describes the operation as a “bargain mega-store,” and focuses on providing products at the cheapest possible price.
The site recorded 70% growth during the 2007-08 year. Basserabie says revenue was over $30 million.
Similar to Deals Direct and Oo.com.au, this department store boasts over 20 different categories for products ranging from DVDs, gadgets, homewares and even mobile phones. The site also offers a reward points program, as well as constantly updating discounted products.
The store also updates itself with news regarding product deliveries to keep customers up-to-date, and has surged in popularity to be the 28th most popular shopping and classifieds site in Australia.
See also: Gerry Harvey says greatest boom in history is just a year away
Patrick Stafford is a freelance journalist and a former deputy editor of SmartCompany.
